Egyptian Dog Names

Introduction

If you are a history or travel buff then the chances are good that you are enamored with Egypt. One of the best ways to display your interest is to bestow a unique Egyptian moniker on your beloved pooch. There are numerous names and key historical Egyptian figures that you can pay homage to and name your dog after. Any Egyptian name that you choose will be unique and people will definitely ask you about the origins of your dog’s name. Whether it's a ruler, god or goddess, or an animal related to Egypt there are a myriad of suggestions when it comes to this theme.

Egyptian Dog Names in Pop Culture

Featured Famous Egyptian Dog

Abuwtiyuw

Anubis is an ancient god of Egypt. Many think he resembles a jackal but there is a strong indication that he is actually a dog. In the Anubieion catacombs at Saqqara, dogs were commonly buried.

The god Anubis was also called Inpew, Yinepu, or Anpu. He was the strong god of the underworld. It was his job to guide and protect the dead on their journey to the underworld. Anubis often appears on hieroglyphs as a man with a jackal or dog head. Many scholars assume that jackals often frequented the graveyards after dark and so this is why the god was believed to have a jackal head. However, other scholars see Anubis as a dog because just as man’s best friend, the job of Anubis is to protect and guard the spirits.

Anubis is referred to as the ‘jackal dog’ but he is clearly only denoted as a dog and not a jackal in ancient Egyptian text. His epithet states that he is the ‘dog who swallows millions’. Pariah dogs also strongly resemble Anubis.

Many scholars feel that the tale of Anubis is closely related to a dog named Abuwtiyuw who actually lived in Ancient Egypt. Abuwtiyuw was the dog servant of the pharaoh. He was greatly honored with a royal burial. A tablet inscription reads, ‘The dog which was the guard of His Majesty. Abuwtiyuw was his name. His Majesty ordered that he be buried ceremonially, that he be given a coffin from the royal treasury, fine linen in great quantity, and incense. His Majesty also gave perfumed ointment and ordered that a tomb be built for him by the gangs of masons. His Majesty did this for him in order that he [the dog] might be honored before the great god, Anubis.’ (Hobgood-Oster, 41-42). The tablet was discovered in a tomb in 1935. It is believed that the tablet once held a depiction of the dog because there is an inscribed leash in the upper corner but the rest of the tablet has been broken away.

Abuwtiyuw is thought to have been a slightly built hunting dog that probably resembled a Greyhound. He is one of the oldest documented canine companions. His name cannot be fully translated but some historians believe it simply refers to the sound of the dog's unique bark. Other researchers believe that the first part of the dog's name translates into 'with pointed ears'.

Egyptian Dog Name Considerations

There is no denying that Ancient Egypt holds a mysterious appeal. Most people know that Egyptians revered cats, but dogs also played an important role in their lifestyle. Dogs often symbolized gods and were frequently kept as domestic pets. Interestingly, the hieroglyphics never show dogs as an animal to be petted but they were nonetheless valued because they were often mummified and buried in the tombs of their owners. In Abydos, Egypt there is even a place that was specifically set aside for dog burials. The dogs were laid to rest beside women, archers, and dwarfs.

Egyptians referred to dogs as ‘iwiw’ which denotes the sound of the animal’s bark. Canines were regularly used for hunting, guarding, and in a military capacity. The names of ancient Egyptian dogs have been gathered from the collars, which were commonly buried with the dogs. The dog’s collar would have its own name lovingly engraved on it. Many dogs were simply named after their colors but others were named only numbers. Others were bestowed with handles that were simply words of endearment. Some were also named after the pooch’s unique abilities or talents.

There are several breeds of dogs that are believed to hail from Ancient Egypt. The Basenji, Greyhound, Pariah, Ibizan, Saluki, and Whippet are all believed to have roots in the desert land. Whippets were actually considered the dogs of the pharaohs and are believed to be closely related to the Greyhound and the Pariah. The Molassian was brought to Egypt by Greek traders. The Egyptians quickly took a liking to the Molassian and used them for hunting and war.